15:35 Limerick

Sunday 14 October 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

David Fitzgerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 52.8s

Ask Nile^p1²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: S Neville| OR: 122| D

7/1

131-rated handicap chaser and is just one from eight over hurdles. First time cheekpieces unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 2887F-7

The Big Lense^t⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: G Elliott| OR: 117

2/1

Won only point to point start and has shown some ability in two starts in bumpers. Won a Bellewstown maiden hurdle on his second start over timber and expected to continue improvement here.

Form: 1/63-91

Aranhill Chief^b1,t⁹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: A McCurtin⁽³⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 116| D

66/1

Modest 122-rated handicap chaser, who is not getting any younger and is unlikely to add to his two hurdle wins here in first time blinkers.

Form: 4064-00

The Gatechecker^b²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Mark Walsh| T: M Hourigan| OR: 111| C| D

9/2

Course winner who won over this trip at the Listowel harvest festival last month in a competitive handicap chase. Second of 12 at Bellewstown over 3m in August. Market likely to be informative.

Form: P-0R521

Odit¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 106

25/1

One from 13 over hurdles and hasn't had the easiest of passages for his new yard, finishing 15th of 17, falling at the second last time out, tied with a couple of non-appearances, lame and unsuitable ground. Interesting trainer takes the ride.

Form: 16/905F

Guided By You^b¹⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 104| D

7/1

Nothing of note since winning a Cork maiden hurdle over this trip in January. Could be coming down to a workable mark but best watched here.

Form: 4120P-0

Riverrainshine²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: S J Mahon| OR: 101

33/1

20-race maiden usually seen plying his trade around Galway. Not much to shout about in a couple of spins since returning to action in July.

Form: 2403-00

Offshore Oscar⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: J M Moore| T: E McNamara| OR: 98

11/2

Not much to shout about in three maiden hurdle starts since returning to the track following a 14-month lay off, before landing a Killarney 2m4f contest on handicap debut when last seen in August. Tough ask off 10lb higher mark.

Form: 9/00-81

Platinum Empress^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: L P Cusack| OR: 98

9/2

Plenty to like about his two seasonal starts to date at Roscommon and Ballinrobe when running well in defeat. Remains open to improvement.

Form: 0/335-42

Non-Runners

Cappacurry Zak¹⁸²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 9

T: L Young J: R P Treacy

Georges Conn⁸

Weight: 10-1| Age: 10

T: J P Ryan J: Donagh Meyler

Forecasts

The Big Lense (2/1), The Gatechecker (9/2), Platinum Empress (9/2), Offshore Oscar (11/2), Ask Nile (7/1), Guided By You (7/1), Georges Conn (12/1), Cappacurry Zak (14/1), Odit (25/1), Riverrainshine (33/1), Aranhill Chief (66/1)

With Barry Geraghty up for trainer Gordon Elliott on THE BIG LENSE the improving five-year-old can continue his progression here and land the spoils following up on his win at Bellewstown in August. Owner J P McManus holds a strong pair here and can provide the biggest danger to the selection with course winner The Gatechecker who won over this trip at the Listowel harvest festival last month. Last time out winner, Offshore Oscar and Potential improver Platinum Empress can fight for the minor places.